WORSHIP AS A LIFESTYLE
By: Pauline Lee
(I do not subscribe to Private Messanger. You can email me at fsteps@tm.net.my)

The worship in our church is always full of exuberance. There is just simply a superabundance of spirit in the sanctuary. Each week, the message from the pulpit just speaks to me in awe. I always look forward to Sundays. It is so easy to love my church members. They are so warm and friendly. This makes worship all the more wonderful and powerful.

Then Monday comes and here I am trapped among people who are frequently angered by every possible circumstance, thrown out of emotional proportion, and reacting in selfishness and jealousy. This is the world we all live in on most days, most hours of our lifetime. It is easy to feel annoyed but it is hard to love when everyone just seems so distant from righteousness. But I hear this message that was once preached by my senior pastor on "Worship as a Lifestyle". It tells of how we should each live as if each moment is worship unto the Lord. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men ... It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:23-24). Although some of us do not have the privilege to be called to full-time ministry, we are still responsible for our words and actions. We are watched everyday. If we fail to recognise the importance of this, we fail to recognise God's commandment to us - ". . . If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ . . ." (1 Peter 4:11). It was not meant only on Sundays or in church. It was meant for ALL THINGS. When we know this, we make a conscious effort to be spirit-controlled, prayerful, and caring.

When we remind ourselves that God is perfect, spotless and full of grace we remind ourselves to worship God because He is worthy. This is the first step to reminding ourselves to refrain from all that is not of God. This helps us in practically abandoning ourselves and living a life full of worship. Remember, our life is not just about work, getting through each day's chores, or trying hard to overcome difficult relationships but rather an opportunity to show the love of God in all these circumstances. So let worship be a lifestyle in every Christian today!